Napa County – Home Theater & Automation

When your home theater and automation is complete, most companies will give you a written invoice that details the completed work.

This invoice usually includes:

• The home automation and home theater company’s name and physical address.
• The total cost for supplies, including the amount due for labor.
• Any applicable warrantees or guarantees provided by manufacturers or the company.
• A list of all services performed.
• An itemized list of all the supplies purchased.

It is wise to compare the completed work with the written invoice.

Ask your contractor to walk through your home with you and show you the completed home theater and automation. Check the work with the invoice.

During the walk-through, ask if there are any special instructions for maintaining your new home theater and automation. If you have any questions about the work or equipment, now is the time to ask.

Most good home theater and automation companies will offer warranties on the home theater and automation systems and materials that are used. All details of the warranty should be provided to you in writing.

For your protection, this information should include:

• The home automation and home theater company’s name, physical address and license number.
• If the warranties are transferrable to the new owner if you sell your home.
• Your responsibility if you place a warranty claim (i.e., if you have to pay for labor or materials, or if you are required to pay a prorated amount).
• What products and parts of the home theater and automation system are covered. This should also include whether the company will replace or repair your home theater and automation equipment in the event of a product failure.
• Terms, limitations and exclusions on the materials and workmanship.

The top requests for home theater and automation in Napa County are listed below.

Switches
Home automation switches can remotely control your lights and appliances. Switches can remotely dim and control lights and also turn appliances on or off.

Plug In Controllers
Plug in controllers allow you to immediately control appliances and lights in your home by just plugging them into an outlet. You can use your cell phone to turn on lights or even turn on the heater.

Automation Software
Automation software is a computer based software that allows you to control appliances and lights from your computer. Lights and appliances can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times or to activate a motion sensor.

Wireless Remote Controls
Wireless remote controls can control lights, appliances and home theater equipment.

Automation Module
Automation modules control your lights and appliances by remote. Lights, stereos, sprinkler systems, appliances and garage doors can be controlled by remote with an automation module.

Home Theaters and Home Entertainment Systems
Home theater and entertainment uses a screen and projector or high end DVD player and television to recreate “going to the movies.” Amplifiers and surround sound add to the overall experience.

Home Intercoms
Intercoms are another system that allows for greater security. Intercoms and other door answering systems allow you to talk to visitors before they enter the premises and to communicate from room to room in your home.

Home Automation Kits
Home automation kits are available as a more inexpensive way to begin home automation. You can choose various kits for lighting, security systems, and home theater. These kits give you all that you need to start your home automation system including detailed instructions.

Home Automation Starter
A home automation starter will allow you to control a few of your appliances and lights etc., from anywhere in your home. You may want to start with a basic and add to this.

Motion Sensors
Motion sensors control appliances and lights by motion. Lights can be programmed to turn on when someone walks in the room. Appliances can also be programmed to turn on with motion. Motion sensors are also popular for attics, porches, garages, and basements.

Popular Home Theater and Home Automation Brands
The top requests for home theaters and automationn systems in Napa County are listed below.

• Bose Home Audio Systems
• Sony Home Theater Systems
• Action Home Automation
• Dynex Home Audio System
• Onkyo Home Audio System
• Pioneer Audio Home Theater Systems
• Samsung Home Theater System
• Smarthome Home Automation Systems
• ELAN Home Systems

absorption
Absorption is the reducing of acoustical energy.

audio codec 3
Audio codec 3 is an encoding system that compresses digitally into a single bitstream.

Also known as: Dolby Digital, AC3

academy curve
Academy curve minimizes noise with an intended roll-off in the system’s playback. In old movies this keeps the sound from being unpleasant.

acoustic suspension
Acoustic suspension is an enclosure in a sealed speaker that uses trapped air to help control the woofer.

Advanced Television Systems Committee
Advanced Television Systems Committee is a committee that is directed by the government. The ATSC developed the digital television transmission system.

Also known as: ATSC

amplifier
Amplifier is a component that increases an audio signal’s level.

attenuate
Attentuate is to reduce or turn down.

bass
Bass is low frequencies below 200 Hz.

boost
Boost is to increase sound to make it brighter or louder.

brightness
Brightness is the control that makes your image brighter. In audio, brightness refers to having too much treble.

compact disc
A compact disc is a disc which allows you to digitally format with 74 to 80 minutes of recording.

Also known as: CD

controller
Controller is a handheld wireless remote or a processor or receiver.

Also known as: wireless remote

damping
Damping is the controlling of vibration by means of an electrical or mechanical device.

dynamic range
Dynamic range is the difference between the lowest and highest levels. In audio, this is decibels and in videos, this is contrast ratio.

heat, ventilation and air conditioning automation systems
Heat, ventilation and air conditioning are systems that can be controlled by remote receivers or computers.

Also known as: HVAC

house master keypad
House master keypad is a device that is installed to allow control all of the automation. It also communicates with room keypads.

individual dimmer
Individual dimmer allows for dimming in individual rooms or areas.

infrared
Infrared is a frequency of light that is invisible. Television and audio video equipment often utilize infrared remote controls.

infrared connecting block
Infrared connecting block is mounted on a wall and allows one to connect emitters by small plug-in jacks.

Also known as: infrared connecting blocks

infrared emitter
Infrared emitter sends out an infrared light which is sent by a remote control.

Also known as: infrared emitters

infrared receiver
Infrared receiver receives infrared signals which is then sent from a room to an appliance allowing you to control it.

Also known as: infrared receivers

macro
Macro is a group of commands that are executed in order sequentially.

microphones
Microphones are used with voice recognition to capture voices.

Also known as: mixers

power line carrier
Power line carrier allows devices to communicate through the existing power line wiring. Signals are sent and received through the wiring.

Also known as: PLC, professional lighting control

power supply
Power supply is a device that plugs in to convert to a lower voltage which is used for electronic components.

preset dimmer
Preset dimmer allows you to control a room with multiple dimmers which are controlled by one keypad.

recordable compact disc
Recordable compact disc is a disc which is recordable.

Also known as: CD-R

room master keypad
Room master keypad is a keypad that controls a room for lighting. They will control local dimmers and sp
eeds of fans.

voice recognition software
Voice recognition software is software for home automation that allows you to control by voice command.

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified home theater and automation company?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a home theater installer and home automation company with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only home theater and automation companies rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified home theater and automation company.

Q: Define home automation.
A: Home automation is the technological system or systems that are installed in your home to make your life more efficient. These systems are a convenience and will enhance your lifestyle.

Q: What does a home control system do?
A: A home control system can virtually change the way you live and the choices are practically unlimited. Some of the systems that you may want to control are: lighting, controlling the climate or temperature of your home, networking computers, security systems, controlling window blinds, and other touch screen controls.

Q: Can a home automation system save money?
A: Actually, a home automation system can save you money by saving energy especially with lights. Timers will turn off your lights saving light bulbs and energy. Motion sensors will turn lights off after motion or movement has not been detected in a room for a period of time that you set. Other devices that are controlled by home automation can be programmed to turn off also. Any saving of energy will save you money.

Q: What are the benefits of having a home automation system?
A: There are many benefits from having a home automation system. One of these benefits is that your home will be enhanced. You will be able to press a single button and do a multitude of tasks. You can turn on your television, or change the lighting, lower the blinds and many other tasks. The benefits of being able to change the lighting will be very dramatic. Lights can be made dimmer and change the mood of the room you are in. Lights also complement the architectural elements of your home.

You will find your comfort and convenience are also improved. We have all grown accustomed to changing the channels of our televisions from our chair but now you can change the channel, dim the lights, control the stereo, set the thermostat and many other functions from your chair, bed or anywhere in the house. This will save you time and effort. You will no longer have to get dressed to run outside and turn the lights off in a detached building or get out of bed to turn the lights off in a different part of the house. All of these conveniences are available to those with disabilities which can give them independence. Even quadriplegics can gain independence by controlling every appliance in the house.

A home automation system can also save you money. A large percentage of the average household budget is spent on lighting. And a large portion of this is wasted because of outdated equipment and being used inefficiently. By utilizing automatic timers  and dimming controls on the lights, much of this waste can be cut. An automated system will also regulate your water heater, air conditioning, heater and other systems so they are only on when they are needed.

Home automation increases the security of your home. Traditional alarms only alert you when the robber has entered your home but a new security system lets you push a button to turn on all of the lights in the house and flash alarm lights to deter the robber. Police will tell you that good lighting helps prevent crime.

Home automation will also make your homer safer. Motion detecters can detect movement and let you know if anyone is in the house. Many injuries occur because people fall in the dark and trip over things. Now lights will automatically light your way as you walk through your house.

Q: What is a home theater?
A: Home theater is setting up a place any your home that gives you the experience of being at the movie theater. Audio and video equipment are set up to give you similar sound and visual effects similar to a theater.

Q: Do I need surround sound for my home theater?
A: Surround sound gives you more of the experience of a movie theater so if you are looking to replicate that you will need surround sound. Surround sound will allow the viewer or listener to experience the sound coming from every direction.

Q: Does a projector or a television work best for a home theater?
A: The decision to have a projector or a television really depends on where you are going to have your home theater. Projectors work best in a room that is fairly dark or can be dimmed to make the picture clear. If your home theater is not in a dedicated room for viewing, you may want to get a large screen or plasma television.

Q: What is the purpose of amplifiers in a home theater system?
A: Amplifiers create the surround sound you are wanting in a home theater system. It is very critical to the amplifier to have a good power supply. Without a quality power supply, your resulting sound will be poor and may even have interference noise.